A Scottish housing association has celebrated building its 2000th new home with a visit from the Housing Minister.

Keith Brown MSP unveiled a plaque at Fleming Road in Cumbernauld, where 31 new flats have been completed in a bid to regenerate an area that was dominated by tower blocks.

Families who move in to the 440 energy-efficient flats have recently left the 1960s high rise blocks on Allanfauld Road.

There is a gap of 126 flats, as Cumbernauld's 12 blocks included 566 flats.

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And a group calling themselves the Registered Factored Owners Association put up a long opposition to plans to bulldoze the blocks.

But Isabell Vincent, who moved to a new-build flat in February after 33 years in one of the blocks, said: "We love our flat. It's lovely and bright in the morning during the summer and in the evening the sunlight just streams in.

"The high-rise blocks were good in 1979 but when we left the dampness was unreal.

"We're glad we made the move."

Mr Brown said: "Investment in new, affordable housing such as this development by Sanctuary is extremely welcome. As well as providing new homes for people in the local community, these developments help to boost the Scottish economy by providing opportunities both for the construction sector and for those employed in it."

Gordon Laurie of Sanctuary in Scotland said: "We are delighted that the Housing Minister has taken time from his busy schedule to help mark our significant milestone."

(NE)